Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Located deep in the buttock, below the gluteus maximus, the piriformis muscle extends from the sacrum to the outer hip bone and is responsible for stabilizing the hip joint and lifting and rotating the thighs away from the body. When this muscle is in pain, it can often be confused with sciatica because it produces a similar pain in the lower back and into the legs. This pain is called piriformis syndrome and is caused when the piriformis muscle becomes shortened or tightened or when the muscle spasms and becomes inflamed. When inflamed, the muscle can put pressure on the sciatic nerve that runs beneath it. If you are experiencing pain, tingling or numbness in your lower back, buttocks and legs, Dr. Kent Carlomagno can relive your pain and restore you to health.

A common factor that leads to the development of piriformis syndrome is the performance of activities with excessive weight bearing, changing direction and running. This means that many athletes, namely runners and weight lifters, suffer from this condition. Externally rotating the hip for extended periods of time is another factor. This is most often seen in ballet dancers and those who walk with their feet turned outward. Misalignment of the pelvis bones can also be involved.

Chiropractic adjustments, stretching and strengthening exercises can be combined with inferential microcurrent therapy to treat piriformis syndrome to reduce spasms and tightness and help the muscle heal. If caused by the way you walk, foot orthotics may be necessary.

To schedule an appointment at Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center in San Rafael, CA, call (415) 721-7520. For more information, please visit www.summitchiro.net.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Carpal tunnel syndrome can be an incredibly expensive work-related injury, with the potential to cost an employee who has it over $30,000 in medical bills and work absences during their lifetime. Occurring most often in adults, women especially, that have jobs in the manufacturing, sewing, cleaning or meatpacking industries, carpal tunnel syndrome is a repetitive strain condition that causes pain and numbness in the fingers and thumb. While painful and debilitating, carpal tunnel syndrome doesn’t have to rule your life. Here at Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center, Dr. Kent Carlomagno alleviates patients’ pain and helps them heal.

Carpal tunnel syndrome is a problem that affects the median nerve, which runs from the forearm into the hand. When this nerve becomes compressed in the carpal tunnel, where the nerves, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels travel through the wrist, it can result in numbness, weakness and pain. Common symptoms include burning, tingling, numbness and itching in the palm, thumb, index and middle fingers. Some people describe their fingers as feeling useless and swollen even if they don’t appear to be. Symptoms can first appear while sleeping since many people sleep with flexed wrists. As symptoms worsen, they may appear during the day and result in weaker grip strength and decreased sensitivity to hot and cold.

To treat carpal tunnel syndrome, you don’t need surgery. Dr. Carlomagno can provide an alternative method of treatment by using chiropractic care in addition to a chiropractic traction/distraction device. This method allows him to reshape the carpal tunnel and remove the pressure from the median nerve, alleviating your pain.

If you’re suffering from wrist, forearm and hand pain related to carpal tunnel syndrome, schedule an appointment with our office in San Rafael, CA by calling (415) 721-7520. For more information, visitwww.summitchiro.net.

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

From the food we eat to the air we breathe to the water we drink, viruses and bacteria are everywhere. However, just because we come into contact with these germs doesn’t mean we are going to get sick. If that were true, we would constantly have a cold or flu. We are not sick all the time because the “germ theory” that most people use to explain disease is outdated. A carry-over from the early 1800s, this theory proposes microscopic organisms cause disease, but that isn’t the whole picture.

It is not enough for germs to simply be present to cause disease. To get sick, your body must provide a hospitable environment for the bacteria and viruses to reproduce, and this depends on many factors, including the health of your lungs, the function of your immune system and your overall health. Since the nervous system controls the proper function of your lungs, immune system and all other organs and systems in your body, chiropractic care can effectively help prevent disease.

At Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center, we strive to help patients maintain the integrity of their nervous systems, which are largely housed in the spinal column. Dr. Kent Carlomagno uses spinal adjustments to align his patients’ spines and remove interference from the nervous system. This has a beneficial effect on the entire body, not just the back and neck.

Whether you suffer from constant illness or are looking to improve your overall wellness, we can help you at our San Raphael, CA office. Call (415) 721-7520 to schedule an appointment. For more information, visit www.Summitchiro.net.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Whether you are suffering from a chronic condition or just hoping to maximize your body’s potential, combining chiropractic care with home exercise is a great way to improve your health and increase your overall wellness. And at our office in San Rafael, CA, Dr. Kent Carlomagno can help you develop an exercise plan that will improve your health and overall quality of life.

Exercise is incredibly beneficial to our bodies, especially when combined with chiropractic treatment. Many studies have shown that it is an effective way to manage both acute and chronic lower back pain, as well as other conditions, helping patients keep moving and feel better. In addition to helping with injuries, regular home exercise also keeps the muscles in proper tone, promotes circulation and can help your body function better as a whole.

Strengthening your muscles has direct and indirect benefits on your health, including increasing your ease of movement, improving posture and stabilizing your joints, as well as decreasing your risk of falls and injuries. Including exercise as one of his 12 rules for longevity, Dr. Carlomagno recommends at least 15 minutes of exercise a day.

To see how chiropractic and exercise can improve your life, schedule an appointment at Summit Chiropractic and Longevity Center. Just call 619-440-4035. For more information, visitwww.summitchiro.net.